Tourism is worth more than £600m to the local economy annually and supports more than 14,000 jobs so the new website just launched by 1066 Country Marketing is a vital plank in determining the promotional strategy for the area for the next decade.

1066 Country Marketing, is the private/public sector organisation which promotes 1066 Country to visitors and earlier this week it launched its new website.

The launch took place in Battle on Hastings Day, Monday October 14th and was attended by over 60 of the partners that 1066 Country Marketing works with regularly. The date of the launch was significant too marking the anniversary of the battle in 1066 that makes the area so well known nationally and internationally.

Stewart Drew, the chair of 1066 Country Marketing says the new website www.visit1066country.com marks the end of a long process which also saw the introduction of a new strategy, refreshed communications and a new way of marketing to the area’s key target audiences.

“This work prepares us for the next ten years, ensuring that we concentrate on our most important markets,” said Mr Drew.

“The website gives us the opportunity to more effectively promote the region, the individual destinations within it and new contemporary themes such as culture, music and active sports.

“We’ve had some really good feedback on the new website already. Tourism is really big business locally, worth more than £600m to the local economy annually, and supporting more than 14,000 jobs, so it is vital that we continue to invest in marketing 1066 Country.

Tourism and leisure business that want to find out more about 1066 Country Marketing can email 1066membership@hastings.gov.uk.